As if there already isn’t enough to do in medical school here’s another option: participating in student organizations. But unlike all that studying, being a part of student organization can be a ton of fun! It’s also a terrific way to make friends and meet some healthcare professionals. Most of the organizations will hold kick-off meetings in the fall quarter (usually including free food!). Check the 5th floor bulletin boards, Student Affairs, and your school emails for information. In addition do not miss Rush Octoberfest, which is an event where all the organizations come together to recruit new members, it also serves free food and you can meet people from an organization in which your interested. For more information about student organizations, check out the Student handbook, call the Office of Student Affairs at (312)942-6302, or stop by the office in room 984. Note: Not all of these organizations are currently active, so if you see an organization that you’re interested in but do not hear of any meetings or activities, be sure to contact the Office of Student Affairs.
American Medical Association (AMA)/ Illinois State Medical Society (ISMS)/Chicago Medical Society (CMS)The AMA is a national organization dedicated to serving the needs of physicians and medical students (the ISMS and the CMS are regional/local chapters). Students can become members of the AMA, ISMS and CMS. Members will receive the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), the AMA newsletter; and information regarding meetings, conventions, scholarships, social activities and residency programs.
| AMA515 North State St.Chicago, IL 60610312-464-5000 | Illinois State Medical Society20 North Michigan Ave.Suite 700Chicago, IL 60602312782-1654 | Chicago Medical Society515 North Dearborn St.Chicago, IL 60610312-670-2550 |
American Medical Student Association (AMSA)
Do you want to know how to: do an elective rotation in complementary and alternative medicine, lobby on Capitol Hill, learn about the healthcare system, pay off your student loans, or fight discrimination in health care? These and many other questions you may have can be answered by AMSA.
AMSA has over 30,000 members nationwide making it the largest national organization for medical students run by medical students. Through the national office in Washington, D.C., AMSA lobbies for better and more equitable distribution of health care services, for humanistic and relevant medical education, as well as for medical student rights. AMSA has six Standing Committees that reflect its agenda: Advocacy, Community Health, Global and Environmental Health, Health Policy, Medical Education, and Humanistic Medicine. Students can become involved at the local, regional, or even national level to work on projects with the Standing Committees. The local chapter here at Rush offers numerous leadership positions and opportunities to lead projects and get involved locally.
Through AMSA, Rush students are able to meet and collaborate with students from other medical schools. Each year, many local AMSA members attend both a Regional Fall Conference and the National AMSA Convention. Rush recognizes such opportunities are important to our medical education and pays for students to attend the national convention each year, which is something very few other medical schools choose to do! AMSA also wants students to have fun and sponsors many events each year. This past year included: the Fall Book Sale, the Fall Instrument Sale, Rush Residency Fair, Orientation and Post-Midterms social events, free yoga lessons, and numerous Action Committee lunches on important topics. There is a one time membership fee and for it one receives The New Physician magazine, plus discounts on travel, textbooks, and much more!
American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA)
The AMWA is an organization which functions at the local, national, and international level to advance women in medicine and improve women’s health. The organization offers leadership, education, advocacy, and mentoring opportunities to fulfill its desire to improve women’s standing in medicine. Some additional benefits one receives when joining AMWA are publications like the bi-monthly newsletter, quarterly Journal of American Medical Women’s Association (JAMWA), student loan programs and scholarships like the “Birch Award” ($500) for exceptional research by a student member, and coordinating events like speakers about women’s health, and a self-defense class. Always remember this group is about women, not exclusive to women so men are welcome to join.
CEO (Community Education Outreach) is a non-clinical volunteer organization dedicated to the education of school-aged children and teenagers in the local area. We volunteer once every week at the Salvation Army on Ogden and Ashland. We tutor local kids at all grade levels from first grade through high school. The kids are great, and we always have a great time working them. Also, the commitment for you is minimal. We only ask that you volunteer once per quarter. Each volunteer session is 1.5 to 2 hours. Many times, so many people sign up that you will only be asked to volunteer once for the entire school year. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Joe Kowalski (M2) at joseph_kowalski@rush.edu .
The EMIG has been created to introduce students to Emergency Medicine, one of the fastest growing specialties in the United States. The goal of this group is to introduce this field to medical students and educate them on what it takes to become an emergency medical physician, but also what the life of such a physician is like. Through a number of programs, we aim to help students develop useful skills for this field, expand current knowledge bases, and interact with professionals presently active in the specialty by shadowing them. EMIG encourages participation on a national level with the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) and the Emergency Medicine Residency Association (EMRA).
Family Practice Interest Group (FMIG)
The FMIG promotes medical student interest in the specialty of Family Practice with its associated scholarships, local and state meetings and national conferences. Several educational events are sponsored each year, including speaker presentations, panel discussions and hands-on procedure workshops! There is also information on summer externships, local residencies and the residency application process (never too early to think about). The FMIG acts as a liaison between its members and the Rush Department of Family Medicine, the Illinois Academy of Family Physicians (IAFP) and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). Membership in AAFP is sponsored by the IAFP and includes a subscription to American Family Physician.
The Geriatric Interest Group provides a forum for students to discuss issues related to aging. Activities include lectures, panel discussions, movie nights, health fairs at senior centers, and flu shot drives at local clinics. This group is open to all allied health fields who are interested in learning about Geriatrics, care of the older patient, and issues faced by this older age group.
Internal Medicine Interest Group (IMIG)
The IMIG was established at Rush Medical College by the American College of Physicians- American Society of Internal Medicine (ACP-ASIM). We welcome those
students who would like to participate in learning more about internal medicine or one of the many internal medicine subspecialties, as well as, any students still exploring their career options. IMIG sponsors a variety of activities and special events in addition to providing leadership opportunities for members. Student membership is free.
Initiativo Espanol
Initiativo espanol is a group of students interested in learning and practicing the Spanish language. There are Spanish classes for students interested in learning medical Spanish at the beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. Conversation groups are based on skill level and meet once a week to learn Spanish. Web resources are also made available.
The Marah's Place program works with a women's homeless shelter in Lincoln Park to bring awareness to women of general health issues. We meet once a week to give the residents a brief presentation on topics such as arthritis, healthy eating, diabetes, and other major medical problems. We often test blood pressures for the women as well, so it's a great opportunity to practice your basic clinical skills.
The focus of this group is exploring the Medicine/Pediatrics combined residency and specialty. We have lunch lectures with Meds/Peds physicians discussing their training, and their everyday activities as physicians. We have also worked in conjunction with FMIG to compare and contrast Meds/Peds, Family Medicine, and Internal Medicine. There are opportunities to shadow a doctor at nearby LifeTime clinic for those students interested in getting a closer look.
Rush Medical Students for Choice is part of the National Students for Choice Organization. Our goal is to educate medical students about women’s reproductive health, including contraception, counseling, STDs, and abortion care. We are currently working on improving the clinical and pre-clinical curricula in these areas.
Students interested in pursuing a career in Obstetrics and Gynecology comprises this group. It is connected to the National Group of ACOG (American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology). Regular meetings are scheduled to inform students of opportunities in the field, including panel discussions with attending and residents. There is also a shadowing program in which M1 and M2s are paired with an attending/resident to follow in labor and delivery for a day. Students can also volunteer to teach sexual education at a community elementary school.
Orthopedic Interest Group (OIG)
The mission of OIG is to educate medical students about the field of orthopedic medicine and inspire their ambitions to an orthopedic residency and career. OIG presents current information on the orthopedic residency application process, surgical procedures, and training and career options. In addition OIG hosts lectures and presents research opportunities to bridge the gap between students and orthopedic physicians. This group is always open to new ideas and topics so do not hesitate to contact us about any aspect of orthopedics you are interested about.
This group promotes issues important in the health care of children. It also provides information on various aspects of Pediatrics as a career choice. Any medical student with an interest in the field o Pediatrics is welcome to attend any of the events sponsored by the group. This past year the Peds group sponsored a workshop on learning the pediatric physical exam with the supervision of attending Pediatricians. For more information, contact steering committee members at Peds_Interest@rush.edu
This is the Rush chapter of the Nobel Peace Prize-winning national organization, Physicians for Human Rights (PHR). We believe that human rights are essential preconditions for the health and well-being of all people. As a student branch of PHR, our role is to educate ourselves as well as fellow medical, public health, and nursing students to become active in supporting a movement for human rights and a culture of human rights in both the medical and scientific professions. Through education, activism, and collaboration, the Rush chapter of PHR aims to target specifically the issues of AIDS epidemic globally and the racial disparities in healthcare locally, while also addressing other issues pertinent to health and human rights. Some of our past activities have included bake sales, lectures on human trafficking, AIDS, and health disparities just to name a few. We are always open to new ideas.
Polish American Health Student Association (PAHSA)
PAHSA provides a vehicle for Rush Polish American students to become involved as a group in community service as well as social functions involving both the Rush community and the various Polish communities of Chicago.
CMA at Rush University strives to be a prayerful community by Christ’s love, guided by Scripture, bearing fruit in service and outreach. Rush CMA is a chapter of the national Christian Medical and Dental Association (CMDA), an organization that seeks to support Christians who are involved health care, from MDs and dentists, to nurses, occupational therapists, physician’ assistants, and even medical/dental office staff. Similarly, the Rush CMA chapter welcomes students from all the various programs at Rush to take part in our fellowship. While our chapter is primarily student-led, we are supported by the Chicago CMDA director, who serves a link between Rush and other area medical schools, coordinating retreats and activities throughout the year.
The recent focus of Rush CMA has been to understand how the Christian faith impacts our future role as health care providers. We invite several different Chicago area physicians to speak with us; we are beginning to get a glimpse of the wide variety of career and lifestyle choices available to us as health care providers. Through activities such as weekly meetings, Bible studies, prayer meetings, potlucks, and quarterly speakers, the goals of CMA are to provide an avenue for all interested students to learn more about Christianity, and to encourage each other in our faith as we try to balance our busy lives.
Rush Community Service Initiatives Program (RCSIP)
RCSIP was established in 1991 to create a thriving network of community service learning programs that match student interest and initiative with the social and healthcare needs of the Chicago population. Students have the opportunity to participate in clinical and non-clinical community service programs that are administered through the RCSIP office and overseen by Rush physicians.
RCSIP Activities
All RCSIP projects are student run with administrative support from and oversight by the RCSIP office, faculty, staff, and community partners. Student participation in RCSIP is strictly voluntary and students do not receive academic credit for their involvement. Students do, however, receive valuable experiences through collaborating with community representatives and working closely with Rush Medical College faculty, fellow students, and agency staff. Over 85% of Rush Medical College students volunteer in one or more RCSIP activities. Although no credit is assigned, electives, research fellowships, and faculty assistance with student projects are offered to participants. Leadership opportunities are also available in the clinical programs. Interested first-year students may apply to join the steering committee of any of the three existing clinics. Furthermore, opportunities exist for students to establish entirely new programs or to develop special projects in conjunction with ongoing programs.
It is hoped that the RCSIP programs address the true healthcare needs of Chicago’s underserved communities, while simultaneously offering Rush Medical College students a valuable educational opportunity. The programs allow the students to use the knowledge gained in the lecture hall and apply it to real life situations. By participating in RCSIP, medical students are exposed to challenges of serving disadvantaged populations as well as to community health, social and behavioral medicine, and primary care. Exposing the students to such diverse populations and settings will hopefully help make students more culturally competent as providers, which will serve them well as future physicians.
Current projects coordinated by RCSIP include prevention education in inner-city schools; clinical services at free clinics; Big Sib opportunities with chronically ill children; tutoring; one-shot health fairs and immunizations for nearby schools; and health care and educational services for the homeless. RCSIP faculty and staff provide the organizational and administrative support that facilitates Rush Medical College students’ participation, helping students make connections, developing protocols, coordinating services with community agencies and providing program continuity as student progress in their medical careers.
LGBT@Rush
We are employees, students, faculty, allies, friends, and family from all areas of Rush University Medical Center and Stroger Hospital of Cook County. We welcome people from all sexual orientations and from all walks of life! We hold social events every few months, provide and informal support network and mentorship opportunities, organize events to promote awareness of LGBT issues within the Rush and Stroger Communities and beyond, and of course have FUN! The philosophy of LGBT is “Come one, come all!” For more information please contact: lgbt_rush@rush.edu
Rush Medical College Student Council
Rush Medical College recognizes the usefulness of students contributing to discussions on matters affecting the student body and the Student Council facilitates such information exchange. The purpose of Student council is to increase communication among the classes and other Rush University organizations, between faculty, staff and administrators of Rush Medical College, and to make recommendations to the Deans concerning programs and policies within Rush Medical College. Student council also strives to increase continuity of the medical students’ education at Rush and works with Student Affairs to improve student life. Student council membership consists of five representatives from each class who are elected spring quarter by their respective class. M1 representatives are elected in the Fall.
The Military Medical Group is an organization for students with military scholarships. The purpose of our group is for students to gain information about the process of military medicine and draws on the experiences of others. We have lunches periodically where we discuss clerkships, residencies, and other issues important to the military scholarships.
Rush Muslim Students Association
The aim of the RMSA is to strengthen the ties of brotherhood and community amongst Muslims, while accommodating their needs, both spiritual and academic, at Rush University. We also wish to foster a deeper understanding of Islam among the Rush community at large. Our hope is to achieve this through regular luncheons, Ramadaan iftaars (daily breaking of the fast), Eid dinners, study breaks, and other events. Furthermore, the RMSA plans to provide faculty contacts, academic assistance, and other information on Islam to all who are interested.
Rush Students for International Health and Medicine (RSIHM)
Facing an increasing interconnected world, where borders between populations are blurred and health care resources are limited, medicine must evolve to meet society’s changing needs. It is essential that we, as future physicians, prepare ourselves to work in a global setting. RSIHM provides a forum to increase awareness and understanding of issues in international health and medicine. Fundraising efforts by RSIHM enables medical students to travel to medically underserved regions throughout the world to conduct research, improve clinical skills, while simultaneously experiencing a foreign culture. RSIHM assists medical students with international experiences, maintains a continually updated international database for opportunities for medical students abroad, holds open discussions on international health issues, organizes international health lectures, and organizes functions for the entire Rush community.
Rush Students for Life was formed to promote respect for all human life, form conception to natural death. Our goal is to provide truthful information without handing out decisions, arguments, or moral judgments. We also promote discussions related to reproductive education, counseling, aging, death and dying. We welcome all Rush students and people of all backgrounds.
The purpose of this organization is to promote the understanding and awareness of Jewish culture and customs, and to provide a supportive atmosphere where students can talk about these issues. The organization is open to any interested student regardless of religious affiliation.
SIGN is a nationwide student run group that focuses on developing an interest in the neurological sciences. SIGN usually has lunch time meetings once a quarter about topics in Neurology. Through SIGN is also opportunity to shadow neurologists or find a mentor for research interests. The national SIGN chapter offers research grants for students in each local chapter, and they will usually sponsor to send a student to the yearly American Academy of Neurology meeting.
For more information, contact Thomas Hoeppner, Ph.D. in the Neurology department- 312-942-5943.
Student National Medical Association (SNMA)
The SNMA has over 125 chapters within 10 regions at medical schools and undergraduate institutions throughout the United States, making it the largest organization of medical students, primarily dealing with the concerns of minority pre-medical and medical students, residents, and fellows. The major mission of the SNMA is to increase the number of minority physicians, especially from medically underserved areas. (These physicians traditionally return to serve these areas.) The Rush University chapter in active in this regard at the local, regional, and national levels.
SNMA chapter activities include community outreach programs, ethnic events, and health education geared toward minority communities. Members have the opportunity to attend regional and national conventions allowing them to network with students and physicians and learn about new issues that affect their regional communities. Chapter dues are $20 annually or $75 for 4 years and help fund group activities and pay regional dues. National dues are $60 for 4 years. Benefits of a national membership are the Journal of the SNMA, and information on upcoming conferences, scholarships, etc. Membership is open to all under-represented minority students in medical school and all students who support the philosophy of the SNMA. Meeting times vary in attempt to fit everyone’s schedule.
Our purpose is to make the stay of inpatients at Rush University Medical Center more comfortable/relaxed by providing them with a chance to speak with someone who is not involved in their treatment. The visit will be a humanistic experience, with no type of medical advice or suggestions given out by the visitors at any point or in any form. Such visits will allow patients, who often get lonely or bored staying at a hospital, with a chance to have a prolonged conversation with a person outside the treatment arena. Visitors will mostly be M1 and M2 students. This opportunity will allow such students to experience the human aspect of medicine at a time when the basic sciences about the human body are being learned
The Surgery Interest Group seeks to provide opportunities for medical students to gain exposure to the field of surgery. The group works with students, residents, and attending physicians to present general and sub-specialty experiences to foster surgical interests. Programming ranges form clinical case presentations to hands on labs to individual opportunities.
Our group’s members include musicians of Rush, whether the instrument of piano, string, voice, guitar, or bongo, aiming to perform music for patients, particularly children and those in oncology. Small groups go from room to room and perform for patients who have requested us. Our range is broad so all are encouraged to join. The idea is to approach patient care without a scalpel or a prescription drug, but with the alternative medicine we practice. We organize efforts at least once a quarter, sometimes with a holiday focus. Look for our flyer for contact information.
Rush Medical College has formed the following committees to assure the involvement of students and faculty members in College activities. M1 class elections are held during the fall quarter. M2 class elections are held during the spring quarter. Make sure you understand the role and commitments of your Committee of interest before running for election.
· Faculty Council (the senior representative body at Rush)
· Committee on Academic Freedom
· Committee on Admissions
· Committee on Affirmative Action
· Committee on Committees and Dialogue (nominations and grievances)
· The Committee on Curriculum and Evaluation
· Committee on Educational Resources (computers, library, etc.)
· Committee on Senior Faculty Appointments and Promotions
· Committee on Student Affairs (student organizations and activities)
· Committee on Student Evaluation and Promotion (COSEP)
· Committee on Student Judiciary Review (investigate student misconduct)
· Organization of Student Representatives (OSR)
· Student CouncilFor information, consult the University Bulletin or the Office of Student Affairs